Why no 'outrage' on TAX FRAUD, David?

reduceditem

David Cameron will be spouting off today about the latest front he's opening up in the battle against benefit fraud.

"At a time when we're having to take such difficult decisions about how to cut back without damaging the things that matter the most, we should strain every sinew to cut error, waste and fraud in our welfare system.''

Benefit fraud costs us a hefty £1.5 billion a year.

Cameron has been relentless in his assault on the benefits system.......lot's of new policies, lot's of high profile speeches and announcements.....the message is clear for all.

But wait just a minute........what about tax fraud which costs us a massive £25 billion per year?

Why no war on tax fraud?

Where are the big announcements?

The media fanfare?

Surely we could recoup vast sums by concentrating on this fraud commited by rich people and corporations (run by rich people).

Don't misunderstand me, we should be doing both.........but why the huge focus on one fraud which costs £1.5 billion when another fraud is costing the tax-payer £25 billion?

michaels

May be we need the IMF involved - Greece seemed to manage to find a lot of the missing tax billions when the proverbial really hit the fan.

Thrugelmir

Surely we could recoup vast sums by concentrating on this fraud commited by rich people and corporations (run by rich people).

Who doesn't committ tax evasion given the chance?

Pay in cash avoid VAT, undeclared income.

Pete111

This should be a priority - without doubt

However, I think that part of the reason benefits fraud illicits a greater level of angst is that the people committing it are quite often contributing the square route of b*gger all to UK PLC. Ie they are Net 'takers'

In many cases of tax evasion, I would imagine many of those involved are Net 'givers' and contribute to the countries coffers...just not as much as they ought.

As an aside, I wonder how much of this 25 Billion is 'normal' people having work done 'for cash.' Lets be honest, we have pretty much all been there...

Generali

It's harder to catch tax evaders and thus more expensive.

There should be a wealth tax, that would catch big tax evaders.

icefall

Peculiar isnt it

reduceditem

Generali wrote: »

It's harder to catch tax evaders and thus more expensive.

...says who?

Entertainer

It's alot more than £1.5 Billion a year, I can tell you. I knew people who were signing on long term, and every single one of them was doing some work on the black to "top up" their benefits. None of that would appear in "fraud" figures.

doire_2

reduceditem wrote: »

David Cameron will be spouting off today about the latest front he's opening up in the battle against benefit fraud.

"At a time when we're having to take such difficult decisions about how to cut back without damaging the things that matter the most, we should strain every sinew to cut error, waste and fraud in our welfare system.''

Benefit fraud costs us a hefty £1.5 billion a year.

Cameron has been relentless in his assault on the benefits system.......lot's of new policies, lot's of high profile speeches and announcements.....the message is clear for all.

But wait just a minute........what about tax fraud which costs us a massive £25 billion per year?

Why no war on tax fraud?

Where are the big announcements?

The media fanfare?

Surely we could recoup vast sums by concentrating on this fraud commited by rich people and corporations (run by rich people).

Don't misunderstand me, we should be doing both.........but why the huge focus on one fraud which costs £1.5 billion when another fraud is costing the tax-payer £25 billion?

Probably because it would mean a lot of his "chums" would be caught

reduceditem

Entertainer wrote: »

It's alot more than £1.5 Billion a year, I can tell you. I knew people who were signing on long term, and every single one of them was doing some work on the black to "top up" their benefits. None of that would appear in "fraud" figures.

That's tax fraud as well as benefit fraud.

MORPH3US

Pete111 wrote: »

However, I think that part of the reason benefits fraud illicits a greater level of angst is that the people committing it are quite often contributing the square route of b*gger all to UK PLC. Ie they are Net 'takers'

Nail on the head for me.